Hands-Free Dog Leashes vs Classic Leather Leashes

in Jan 21, 2025

As a dog owner in the modern world, is it fair to assume that you are always on the hunt for new and interesting gear that is going to make your life with your precious pup easier and more enjoyable? If that’s the case, then you’ve come to the right place! In terms of dog accessories, it doesn’t get much more essential than the humble leash, but more thought goes into selecting the perfect product than you might think.

Please welcome to the stage, the hands free leash! This is a trendy innovation in the leash world that has been designed with multitasking and convenience in mind. From juggling a coffee to messaging on your phone to pushing a baby stroller and more, your dog isn’t always the only thing you have to think about when out for your daily walks. A hands free leash is the perfect solution to this problem.

Omni Hands Free Dog Leash in Red

However, if you have a dog that likes to pretend it is playing in the world cup of tug of war, can a hands free leash stand up to the forces that are being exerted? Let’s take a closer look at all of the pros and cons of hands free leash versus a classic leather leash. By the time we’re done, you should have a clear idea of where you stand!

Challenges for Dogs That Pull

For any dog owner who’s furry friend loves nothing more than to test boundaries and pull whilst walking, a hands free leash might seem like a lightweight, potentially risky option. It definitely offers a greater degree of freedom and convenience, but that freedom won’t count for much if your pup breaks through! We’ve put together 20 key points to consider on this.

  1. Hands free leashes naturally move the pulling force to your own center of gravity, which increases the risk of your being pulled off your feet suddenly.
  2. A particularly strong or sudden jerk can risk causing your back strain or injury, especially if your dog is on the larger side!
  3. Without the right levels of training, any dog might regard a hand free leash as permission and invitation to start pulling harder.
  4. A hands free setup doesn’t always provide the same amount of instant reaction and feedback as a classic handheld leash, so sometimes your corrections won’t be as effective.
  5. In the event that your pup goes for an unexpected lunge, you could find yourself getting dragged along the curb like an unprepared sled passenger!
  6. The lack of any ‘direct’ control can sometimes make it more difficult to guide your dog through larger crowds and more high traffic areas.
  7. Hands free leashes can sometimes be made from less durable materials than leather, which makes them unsuitable for stronger pullers.
  8. With constant pulling, there is the risk of your developing strain in your hips and/or waist area.
  9. A dog who loves to pull can very quickly turn a hand free leash into a trip hazard situation for you and anyone else in your vicinity!
  10. Hands free leashes aren’t always the best option for decisive, quick actions in emergencies. Situations where you need to swiftly redirect your pup away from danger, for example.
  11. The fixed attachment point design provides a limitation of the ability that you have as the walker to maneuvre your pup around obstacles.
  12. If you are multitasking, then any sudden jerk or lunge can have your phone or coffee flying to the floor in a matter of seconds!
  13. Some hands free leashes have bungee sections to help reduce jerking shock, but this elastic feel can sometimes encourage your pup to pull even harder.
  14. If your dog is a dedicated puller and hasn’t quite been trained out of it yet, then they could potentially damage the clasp or attachment point of a hands free leash beyond repair.
  15. If you have more than one pup to walk every day, then having a number of hands free leashes attached to you can, frankly, lead to some real tangled up chaos!
  16. You would be surprised by how much bruising you can experience around your hips and waist if you are contending with a very ‘pully’ pup.
  17. Without the ‘proper’ amounts of control, a hands free leash can exacerbate bad habits like lunging at squirrels and other kinds of distractions.
  18. When your pup can’t feel the natural resistance of your handheld grip, it can sometimes be tempted to try its luck with more pulling than usual.
  19. For some walkers, a hands free leash can give a false sense of control, which in turn can make things a little more risky for both pup and owner.
  20. Something that is super important to remember is that loose leash walking training is absolutely essential before even thinking about switching to a hands free leash. You can’t skip this stage!

Why Leather Leashes Stand Out

When it comes to maximum durability, strength and that much needed touch of style, a classic leather leash really does remain the gold standard for dog owners across the country. We don’t think you need much convincing on this point, but just in case, here are some of the key advantages!

Classic Leather Dog Leash in Brown

Durability and Strength

The biggest selling point here is that leather leashes are super strong, more than strong enough to handle all of the wear and tear of daily doggy use. They are the standout option for larger, stronger pups who perhaps don’t know their own strength when excited. Unlike all of the cheaper, synthetic options, leather actually improves with age, meaning that it can become even tougher over time.

Comfortable Grip

Leather leashes offer the maximum in terms of soft and supple grip for the walker, meaning no risk of sore hands for you no matter how excitable your dog is on their walks. The natural texture of leather remains firms but gentle, which is super important.

Classic Dog Leash in Blue

Stylish and Elegant Appearance

We are sure you agree that there is just a timeless level of elegance about leather in general, and especially a leather leash. You could be strolling around in an urban park or visiting a nice restaurant where pets are welcome, a leather leash is suitable for any setting. Think of it as the little black dress of the dog accessory world!

Flexibility That Adapts to Movement

One thing that leather has over its more rigid alternatives is that natural flexibility that is adaptable to both yours and your dog's sudden movements. This flexibility makes it so much easier to make quick directional changes when needed, without the actions feeling too stiff or detached from your hands.

Antimicrobial Properties

When dealing with vegetable tanned leather in particular (as we so like to do!), you can also enjoy the benefit of both hypoallergenic and antimicrobial properties in your leash. Not only does a vegetable tanned leather leash actively resist the growth of bacteria and odor, the chemical free manufacturing process of the leather itself means that it is the kindest material for your dog’s skin.

Alternatives for Hiking and Outdoor Adventures

Whilst there’s no doubt that leather shines are perfect in urban settings and training situations, they might not always be the best option for every single situation. We’re talking about things like running, hiking, even swimming. In these scenarios, alternative materials like biothane and rope are perhaps more appropriate.

Urban Walks

When walking through a city, the leather leash definitely reigns supreme. You just can’t beat that combination of control, durability and ultimate style when navigating an area of built crowds.

Rugged Hikes

For a more adventure oriented hike, a rope leash is great because it provides all of the strength and water resistance that you need. They are also very lightweight which is something you need to consider depending on the length of your chosen trek.

Jogging or Running

For running and jogging, we can definitely admit that hands free leashes are the best option here. As long as your pup has had the appropriate training to be comfortable with the added bungee elasticity, a hands free leash will help to make both yours and your dog’s running much smoother.

Water Adventures

A top tip here is that biothane leashes are waterproof, resistant to odor and very easy to clean. All of these benefits obviously make them ideal for rainy day walks, stream diving sessions and beach outings. They have a lot of durability without doubt, but there is no getting away from the fact that they don’t share that classic appeal of leather!

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Ultimately, what side of the hands free versus classic leather leash debate you come down in will depend entirely on your precious pup’s behavior and your own lifestyle. On the one hand, hands free leashes offer an unparalleled level of convenience for those who like to multitask, but that comes with the caveat of your dog needing to be well trained enough not to always be testing the limits of the leash’s strength and your own balance! If you have a pup that likes to pull as if they are a husky on a snowy mountain, then you might struggle with a hands free!

Omni Hands Free Dog Leash in Green

On the other hand, classic leather leashes are a great go to choice for urban walking, training and really any scenario in which having maximum control is most important to you. The combination of comfortable grip, durability and effortless style makes a classic leather leash a worthwhile investment for pretty much any dog owner

Of course, for hiking and more rugged outdoor/wet adventures, you might want to consider having a rope or biothane leash in your collection as well, but these are very much specific accessories for specific occasions.

At the end of the day, the right leash for you is the one that keeps both yourself and your pup happy and safe. It could be one of our suggestions, or it could be a combination. No matter how you choose to approach your leash picking journey, can we suggest packing some knee pads, just in case your balance isn’t quite up to it from the very start!

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